A DEDICATED member of St John Ambulance Warrington division has left following 26 years of service.

Dave McClure, who became a cadet at the age of 11, has also volunteered with Cheshire Search and Rescue for the past five years.

His wife Joanne, a search and rescue volunteer of eight years, said: “Dave gives up so much of his spare time and something had to give.

“He was sad to leave St John Ambulance as he has so many happy memories from there.”

Dave, dad to five-year-old Caitlin, a pupil at Christ Church CE Primary School, in Padgate, brought members of the first aid charity and the search and rescue team together to mark the end of his service.

Around 60 of Dave’s friends took part in a training exercise last Friday at the former Bruche Police Training Centre.

Joanne, aged 30, added: “Dave isn’t one for parties and hates being the centre of attention so this was the perfect way to mark his leaving the service.”

Dave, aged 35, of Arran Close, in Fearnhead, has been an anaesthetic practitioner in the critical care unit at Warrington Hospital for 11 years.

He became deputy team leader of Cheshire Search and Rescue two years ago and was instrumental in boosting medical training to the levels required by staff at Cheshire Fire.

Over the years he has taken part in more than 50 search and rescue operations.

Dave, a keen walker, became division leader of St John Amubulance 12 months ago, attending events such as the Cheshire Show and countless Wolves matches.

He was also responsible for accompanying the team’s cadets to various summer camps.